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The introduction of competence and performance assessment of medical practitioners in Namibia: Perceptions of stakeholders.
No full textThesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Leadership and Change Management , in the Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business, at the NUST.Members of the public expect practicing medical practitioners to be competent. They
expect poorly performing medical practitioners to be identified and either helped or removed from practice. Competence and performance assessment of individual
medical practitioner is crucial for life-long learning and quality of care. Policymakers and the Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) should have good insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the methods available. The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions of stakeholders, namely Medical and Dental Council of Namibia (MDCNA) members as well as state and private medical practitioners,
regarding the introduction of competence and performance assessment of medical
practitioners in Namibia and to compare their views in order to gain insights into their views, with a view of implementing competence and performance assessment of a
medical practitioners programme which might consequently improve quality services.
The study followed a quantitative research approach using a descriptive design. A
survey method using questionnaires was applied. A response rate of 66.0% was
obtained. Data analysis, that included identifying and comparing the perceptions of
different stakeholders regarding the introduction of a competence and performance
assessment of medical practitioners, was done using SPSS. The target population
included all MDCNA members, as well as state and private medical practitioners in
Windhoek. The findings were that the majority of MDCNA and private medical
practitioners, respectively, believe it is very necessary to introduce a competence and
performance assessment of medical practitioners in Namibia. Their responses are comparable and consistent with the responses provided by the state medical practitioners. The study further revealed that the majority of MDCNA and private medical practitioners believe that the introduction of a competence and
performance assessment of medical practitioners in Namibia could significantly
improve quality health-care services. Their responses are comparable and consistent
with the responses provided by the state medical practitioners. Recommendations are
proposed based on the results of the study.Supervisor: Prof. S. M. Iiping
Enforcing ethical practices in the public procurement process in Namibia: Impact on socio-economic objectives. Paper presented at the 1st Namibia Customer Service Awards & Conference, 2014.
No full textNamibia Customer Service Awards & Conference (1st: 2014 Nov.: Windhoek)Discussions around the public procurement system in the local media have been largely negative. Many articles have revealed mismanagement in the system. The emphasis of these articles has been on the need to uphold transparency and accountability in the way public procurement is conducted in Namibia. The Namibian experience is that the tendering process seems transparent on the surface, especially in connection with the sending out of tender invitations. However, the process becomes less transparent during the awarding process, which has in some instances necessitated recourse to the courts. As a result of these course cases, it could be said that the Namibian community has reached a point where the weaknesses in the current public procurement system can no longer be ignored. This study sought to address some of the flaws in the public procurement system, by interviewing people who have some knowledge of the system. Findings of the study confirm that there are weaknesses in the current system which needs to be addressed. The results further show that the control mechanisms that have been put in place are seriously ineffective. After reviewing the control mechanisms in place, suggestions are made to strengthen them. In terms of socio-economic development, the findings indicate that the public procurement system could contribute to job creation and poverty reduction. The study also reveals that there is no comprehensive code of ethical conduct for Board Members and staff in the public procurement establishment. The researcher suggests that further research be conducted on areas that were not touched on in this study, such as the practice of exemptions, to evaluate the impact of exemptions on the image of the Tender Board, on the Secretariat, and on the tender process – in the context and spirit of anti-corruption
Implementation of major organisational change process in NamPower for improved customer service. Paper presented at the 1st Namibia Customer Service Awards & Conference, 2014
No full textNamibia Customer Service Awards & Conference (1st: 2014 Nov.: Windhoek)Reliable and affordable energy is vital for economic growth and development and, therefore, for improvements in wellbeing for all; but also for poverty alleviation, especially for the rural majority in Namibia. In this country NamPower is charged with generating, transmitting and trading energy, and therefore is critical to achieving the socio-economic aspirations of the country as presented in Vision 2030. For NamPower to deliver on the expectations above, the management of the organisation must move with time – as both production technology and demand for energy change rapidly – which would make planning and implementing organisational change an important component of NamPower’s management style. This paper attempts to identify the factors that must be taken into consideration for the implementation of major organisational change at NamPower to be successful. The study adopted a mixed research design, using both qualitative and quantitative data. Survey questionnaire (with both closed- and open-ended questions) was used in interviews with three categories of staff members of NamPower. Kotter’s (1995) eight-step change model provided the basis for many of the questions in the questionnaire. The answers to the closed-ended questions were captured in a 5-point Likert scale, which ranged from ‘strongly disagree’ to ‘strongly agree’. The main findings of the study were that though the management of NamPower established the need for change through discussion, persuasion, and encouragement, presented a clear vision of where NamPower would be after change, and developed strategies to guide workers towards change, individual risk-taking, which contributes to making change successful, was not encouraged and the benefits that will accrue to workers from change were neither discussed nor even communicated. Also, though the reward system sometimes recognised individual initiative, effort and achievement, it was not seen by the majority to be fair because it did not often recognise rank. These clogs in the wheels of change need to be removed for NamPower to be an excellent service provider
Welcome remarks by Prof. Tjama Tjivikua, Vice Chancellor, NUST, on the occasion of the official opening of the academic year of the NUST, Windhoek, 5 February 2014, at 09h00.
No full textOfficial Opening of the Academic Year (2014 Feb. 5: Windhoek
The effectiveness of third party logistics providers in the public health sector.
No full textMini-thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in International Business, in the Harold Pupkewitz School of Business, NUST.The main function of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) in Namibia is to provide health care services to population of Namibia. A large portion of the budget is usually spent on issues relating to logistics. This Ministry makes use of in-house logistics services. The current trends of many facilities are to make use of Third Party Logistics Providers (3PL’s). The main objective of the research is to investigate the possibility of using 3PL’s for the provision of logistics services in an attempt to improve healthcare services. This research identified six logistics activities: procurement, transport, warehousing, ordering, inventory and information technology, which form the main aspects of logistics in the MOHSS.
The methodology used was a mixed method whereby data was collected through the survey of literature and the use of a questionnaire. Staff members from three (3) referral hospitals and eight (8) National level diVice Chancellorates from the MOHSS completed the questionnaires. The data obtained was, therefore, both qualitative and quantitative.
The survey results illustrated that the health care system is complex and unique and thus requires a very good logistics system. They further revealed that information technology plays a huge role in a proper logistics setup. Based on the analysis done, a conclusion was made that there are still some areas that need to be improved and some area that are still problematic. Procurement and ordering were identified as logistics activities that have more positive outcomes. The other four activities: 1) Transport, 2) Warehousing, 3) Inventory and 4) Information Technology were identified as areas of concern in which some interventions are necessary. Furthermore, many of these activities are done mainly manually with limited use of Information Technology or computerized systems. These areas were also identified as possible areas for outsourcing.
The key recommendations were fivefold and are summarised as follows: Firstly, 3PL providers can be used to provide logistics activities. Secondly, information technology must form the main basis on which logistics services must be done. Thirdly, the training of officials in the logistics set up is an important aspect that needs attention. Fourthly, logistics strategies need to be developed. Finally, inventory management must get special attention as it is the core activity of the logistics function.Supervisor: Prof. Grafton Whyt
An investigation into the weaknesses of the Namibian domestic fresh produce supply chain.
No full textMini-thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Leadership and Change Management in the Harold Pupkewitz School of Business, NUST.This study focused on how the Namibian fresh produce supply chain can be transitioned from imported to domestic oriented procurement. The problem of the study
was to identify the missing link in the supply chain of fresh produce in Namibia. The
primary research objective of the study was to assess the Namibian fresh supply chain
transition from imported to domestic oriented procurement. The study utilized qualitative approach research design and used qualitative methods of data analysis. The study used the logic model approach of case study analysis in analysing the collected data. The major findings that emerged from this research showed thematic areas that indicate that there is much that needs to be done in order to have the Namibian fresh produce supply chain to be transitioned from imported to domestic oriented procurement. The thematic themes that emerged in this research revolve around involvement of the government of Namibia in the supply chain of fresh produce in both domestic and international markets. The overall opinion of the respondents who participated in this research indicated that fresh farm produce retailers should promote contract farming as well as locally produced farm products as compared to imported fresh farm produce. It also emerged that imported fresh farm produce are of low quality due to transportation problems. The respondents believed that if subsidies are provided, and the private sector is incubated into mainstream fresh farm production, this will enhance and shape the fresh farm produce supply chain. The majority of respondents supported government initiatives through policy frame works that are tailor made to support domestic production, like the Market Share Promotion Program. A further research with a change of methodology and widening of
scope to cover a larger population would be recommended.Supervisor: Dr. Stephrn Mbithi Mwikya. Co-supervisor: Prof. Grafton Whyt
Investigating reasons for failing to implement strategic plans in the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development.
No full textThesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master in International Business, in the Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business, at the NUST.The main purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the
ineffective implementation of strategic plans in the MRLGHRD and identify possible
remedies to improve the situation. The study was guided by four objectives and data
were collected to answer the research questions. An administered questionnaire were
used, both descriptive (qualitative) and quantitative data were collected and analysed
in order to answer the questions of the study. The study also used a combination of
both primary and secondary data to evaluate the MRLGHRD’ strategic plan implementation.
A randomly study was conducted from a total of 247 identified staff members on the
Ministry’s staff establishment (MRLGHRD, 2012). The focus of the study was mainly the operational staff members in the MRLGHRD such as: Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary, DiVice Chancellors, Deputy DiVice Chancellors, Middle Managers/Chiefs and Non- supervisors. The accessibility population was made up of 127 people selected at randomly. The study revealed the response rate and the nonresponse rate of 69% and 31% respectively (table 8). This turnout was good because the researcher managed to achieve the objectives of the study. Based on the findings, the study found out that strategic plan implementation is influenced by the following major factors as indicated on table 12. The study revealed that 68% of the respondents strongly agreed that lack of commitment and teamwork is one of the
major factors affecting the strategic plan implementation in the Ministry. Followed by
63% respondents strongly agreed that the organisational structure and culture are not
aligned to strategy and 59% strongly agreed that employee’s performance not measured meaning no appraisal system (reward system) in the Ministry to motivate staff members to deliver quality services. 51% of respondents strongly agreed that the budget for the ministry is not enough to execute its programmes/projects as set in the
strategic plans, and the budget is not allocated accordingly to where it needed mostly; inadequate leadership to direct strategy implementation; organizational culture; lack of appropriate technology to support the implementation; shortage of staff to implement strategic plan and poor involvement of key stakeholders. However, based on the research findings the following are the major key recommendations that were
made for the MRLGHRD consider:
There is a need to conduct an urgent skills audit within the Ministry and revise
the organisational structure. All those in management level should be equipped with the necessary leadership skills, which will help in the successful implementation of the Ministry’s strategic plans.
Allocation of funds including donor funded programmes should be in line with
the set strategies (priorities), thus help the Ministry to be focused and implement the strategies to achieve desired results.
Bureaucracy should be minimised because it destroys the whole concept of strategic plan especially when one does not understand the subject matter, then the whole system will collapse since there is none to explain it better.
Government to create strong monitoring and evaluation systems and effective
strategic plan implementation teams to coordinate and monitor the implementation process in all O/M/As.
Finally, strategic plan implementation and reward system cannot be treated separately,
therefore the study suggested that there is a need to introduce and implement the
reward system in the Public Service of Namibia to motivate staff members to deliver
quality services to its customers.Supervisor: F. Dangarembiz
The determinants of effective and efficient land development and delivery system in Windhoek.
No full textThesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master in International Business, in the Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business, at the NUSTThe main aim of this thesis was to find out the determinants of effective and efficient
land development system in Windhoek. With increased movement of population in search for better settlement and employment, more people tend to be concentrated in urban areas. This thesis identifies the dynamics of land for urban housing in Namibia with specific reference to the city of Windhoek. The thesis remarks on one hand, weaknesses in the existing institutional framework for urban planning and delivery of land services, unnecessary prolonged procedure and actors in the process with overlapping authorities, roles and lines of
accountabilities has been identified as contributing factors to such dynamics, on the other hand, lack of technical capacity, limited financial resources embedded with cumbersome procedures in the whole process of preparation and approval of detailed plans as prepared by land experts has been a catalyst for the low capacity of the municipality in allocating land for housing development to the developers. With the increasing influx of population towards the
city of Windhoek, land servicing and delivery models need to be reformed to take into account the rapid population dynamics within the society. Municipalities need to be
empowered with both technical and financial capacity to facilitate in provision of effective and efficiency services of providing land for housing.Supervisor: Dr. I. Rand
Vote of Thanks by Ms. Antoinette Wentworth, Coordinator, Courseware Development, Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning, NUST, at the 1st Institutional Technology Day, Auditorium 1, Wednesday 23 October 2013.
No full textTechnology Day (1st: 2013 Oct. 23: NUST
Welcoming speech by Prof. Tjama Tjivikua, Vice Chancellor, NUST at the occasion of the launch of the Namibia Energy Institute, on 20 May 2014, Safari Hotel, Windhoek.
No full textLaunch of the Namibia Energy Institute (2014 May 20: Windhoek